Unified Imaging Apparatus for Authentication and Occupancy Counting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication systems face challenges in efficiently authenticating individuals and counting the number of people in a target area while maintaining cost-effectiveness and ensuring privacy.

Innovation Solution

An authentication apparatus and method that utilize an imaging apparatus to generate first and second images for authentication and counting purposes, respectively, allowing for simultaneous authentication and counting without the need for additional specialized equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate specialized equipment is used for authentication and counting, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it captures images for both authentication purposes and counting purposes. The same hardware device (imaging apparatus 1100) is used to generate both the first image for authentication and the second image for counting, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment while maintaining measurement precision through appropriate image processing techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the authentication function and counting function into a single integrated system. The authentication apparatus and counting apparatus share the same imaging apparatus, creating a merged system that reduces overall device complexity and cost while achieving both authentication accuracy and counting capability through unified image data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If multiple separate apparatuses are deployed for authentication and counting, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecounting accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging apparatus serves dual purposes of authentication and counting, meaning only one device needs to operate instead of multiple separate apparatuses. This reduces total power consumption while maintaining counting accuracy through proper utilization of the captured image data for both authentication verification and person counting operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By merging the authentication and counting functions into a single operational system using one imaging apparatus, the patent reduces the cumulative power consumption that would result from running multiple separate devices. The same image capture hardware and processing resources are shared between both functions, improving energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250174042A1Authentication apparatus, authentication method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 NEC CORP

AI summary

An authentication apparatus includes: an authentication unit that authenticates a person, by using a first image that is generated by an imaging apparatus imaging the person before the person enters a target area; and a counting unit that performs counting processing for counting a number of persons staying in the target area, by using a second image that is generated by the imaging apparatus imaging the persons entering and leaving the target area.